Neglecting Maternal Depression Compromises Child Health and Development Outcomes, and Violates Children’s Rights in South Africa

Abstract

The intention of the South African Children’s Act 38 of 2005 is to provide guarantees for the protection and promotion of optimum health and social outcomes for all children. These guarantees are the provision of basic nutrition, basic health care and social services, optimal family or parental care, as well as protection from maltreatment, neglect and abuse services. However, despite these guarantees, child and maternal mortality remain high in South Africa. The literature identifies maternal depression as a common factor that contributes to negative health and social outcomes for both mothers and their children. Despite the availability of easy-to-use tools, routine screening for maternal depression is not carried out in public health services, which is the source of services for the majority of women in South Africa. The results are that the mothers miss out on being diagnosed and treated for maternal depression, which results in negative child outcomes, such as malnutrition, as well as impacts on mental, social and physical health, and even death. The long-term impacts of untreated maternal depression include compromised child cognitive development, language acquisition and deviant behaviors and economic disadvantage in later life. The author concludes that the neglect of screening for, and treatment of maternal depression therefore violates the constitutional rights of the affected children, and goes against the spirit of the Constitution. The author recommends that maternal and child health services integrate routine screening for maternal depression, which will not only satisfy the Constitutional mandate, but also improve the health and developmental outcomes of the children and reduce child mortality.

Assessment of Prenatal Depression Among Primigravida Women in Sulaimaniyah City, Iraq

“…A child's general mental abilities, cognitive, social, and emotional development, as well as their health, nutrition, and physical development, can all be affected by a mother's depression [8]. If ignored and undetected, it may result in various problems for the mother's health, increased infant death and illness, problems with the growth and development of the infant, and undernutrition in children [9]. It raises serious concerns for the health of both mothers and children because, in severe circumstances, it could even result in a mother's suicide [10].…”

Prevalence and determinants of postpartum depression among adolescent and adult mothers in Northwest Ethiopia

“…Maternal mental health is often neglected, with limited attention and resources dedicated to addressing the unique needs of perinatal women (Adlington et al, 2022). This is evident in the lack of routine screening for maternal depression in public health services, such as in South Africa, where easy‐to‐use tools are available (Mokwena, 2021). Many people in Africa suffer from mental health conditions but do not have access to the necessary care and resources to address their conditions (Nicholas et al, 2022).…”

“…Maternal mental health is often neglected, with limited attention and resources dedicated to addressing the unique needs of perinatal women (Adlington et al, 2022). This is evident in the lack of routine screening for maternal depression in public health services, such as in South Africa, where easy-to-use tools are available (Mokwena, 2021).…”

“…In Ethiopia, obstacles to the provision and use of mental health services include low mental health literacy, social stigma associated with mental illness, limited government attention (Mekonen et al, 2022), and shortage of mental health providers and poor access to mental health services (Yitbarek et al, 2021). The failure to diagnose and treat maternal depression can lead to chronic adverse outcomes for children, including malnutrition, poor mental, psychosocial, and physical health, premature death, and violates their basic rights (Mokwena, 2021).…”

Assessment of the Postpartum Emotional Wellbeing among Women Participating and Not Participating in Antenatal Classes

“…According to a South African study, maternal depression not diagnosed or treated early resulted in negative consequences for children, such as malnutrition and mental, social, and physical health and even death. The long-term effects of untreated maternal depression include impaired cognitive development, language acquisition and deviant behavior, and unfavorable economic conditions later in life [10].…”